Impetigo

It's an itchy, unsightly and irritating skin condition, but the good news is that it can be treated.

What is it?

A bacterial skin infection, common in children, and generally spread by skin-to-skin contact or sometimes by sharing towels, clothing and bedding.

The symptoms

An outbreak begins with itchy patches of skin, similar to eczema and most commonly around exposed parts of the body such as the nose, mouth and hands. This is followed by blistering, which break quickly and ooze. The blisters dry up within two to three weeks, and the skin will heal without leaving scars, although with treatment it could clear much faster.

The treatment

• Basic treatment begins by washing regularly with soap and warm water, and letting the skin dry naturally in the air.
• Impetigo is very contagious, so avoid skin-to-skin contact as much as possible.
• Your doctor (GP) could also prescribe an antibacterial product. In chronic cases, antibiotics may be needed.